Wednesday, July 21, 2004

Vatican to Investigate Newest Sex Scandal

The New York Times reports today that the Pope has appointed an Austrian Bishop, Klaus Küng of the Austrian city of Feldkirch, to investigate claims of homosexual activity and viewing of child pornography in an Austrian seminary 40 miles west of Vienna.

Pornographic material of minors is illegal in most countries, including Austria, and police recently arrested one seminarian after finding pornographic representations of minors on his computer. An Austrian magazine recently published photos of the rector and vice-rector of the seminary kissing.

Calls for the Bishop of the diocese to resign have thus far been rebuked, though that possibility will be explored by the Papal investigator. The Bishop first reported the problem to the police.

The reports have rocked the Catholic Church in Austria, which is still recovering from the resignation of its cardinal following accusations of child molestation that may have occurred decades ago.